Cigar or cigarette refuse receiver



J. H. WILY CIGAR OR CIGARETTE REFUSE RECEIVER March 17, 1953 mmvroza.

JAMES H W/u BY v ATTOE/VEVS Filed March 5, 1949 Patented Mar. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIGAR R CIGARETTE REFUSE RECEIVER James H. Wily, Bethlehem, Pa.

Application March 5, 1949, Serial No. 79,775

4 Claims. (Cl. 220-205) This invention relates to an improved cigar or cigarette stump receiver top adapted for removable application to receptacles of various designs or incorporation as a permanent or integral part of a receptacle. The device is also useful for receiving ashes. Its merits are particularly apparent in connection with its ability to receive without trouble the stumps which are apt to clog prior art receivers of the same general type. One of the objects is to provide a receiver of the type provided with a manually openin seal or closure for the stump and ash passage and which is designed in such a way as to avoid any chance for the stumps clogging above the passage. Another object is to construct a receiver top for this type of receiver in such .a manner that its mechanically operating parts are extremely simple andsturdy and so that they cannot easily be put out of operation. A further object is to provide for sealing such a receiver top in a substantially air tight manner whereby to assure extinguishment of unextinguished stumps in the receptacle. Still another object is to provide a device of the type described having the advantage that the receptacle may be emptied simply by inversion with the receiver top functioning automatically to permit and facilitate emptying. Other objects are to provide a cigar and cigarette stump and ash receiver top which may be inexpensively manufactured, which may be produced as a self-contained unit applicable to various types of receptacles of different designs and styles and to in general provide the described type of device in a form avoiding the defects and disadvantages of related prior art devices; Other objects may be inferred from the following disclosure. y

The accompanying drawings illustrate various specific examples of devices incorporating the various features of the invention whereby to disclose the principles and operation of the invention, the different figures being as follows:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an example;

Fig. 2 is a top View of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken from the line 33 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section taken from the line 4-4 in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross section taken from the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

In the example shown by Figs. 1 through 5, pppositely spaced upwardly facing surfaces l decline toward each other with mutually adjacent edges 2 defining the sides of a long space 3 adaptedto pass stumps laterally aligned therewith and at leastapproximately parallel thereto. The space 3 preferably should be long enough to pass even unsmoked cigars or cigarettes and just sufficiently wide to assure free and easy passage when a stump is aligned as described.

Stumps are considered herein as being any cigar or cigarette which is to be discarded regardless of how much it has been smoked. The space 3 need not necessarily be dimensioned to pass both cigars and cigarettes since it is contemplated that the device may be made in different sizes. In that event the cigarette size might not accommodate cigars.

The slot or opening 3 is provided with a seal or closure in the form of a cylindrical tube 8. A solid cylindrical bar could'be substituted. This tube has an outside diameter sumciently larger than the Width of the slot or space 3 to laterally bridge between the adjacent edges 2 of the surfaces I provided by the angle plates. The transversely rounded bottom provided by the cylindrical contour of the tube 3 forms a downwardly acting wedge proportioned to bridge the inner facing edges 2. The diameter of the tube 8 should not be so small by comparison to the Width of the space 3 as to permit its rounded surface to Wedge between the inner facing edges 2 tightly enough to frictionally resist strongly upward lifting of the tube 8 providing the closure or seal. Preferably the diameter should not be so large as to prevent any wedge action at all since a moderate amount of wedge action facilitates the production of a seal approaching and possibly attaining air tightness.

In this example the seal or closure tube 8 is provided with an upstanding stem e terminating with a knurled handle portion Ii) at its upper end and with its lower end connecting with the sealing or closing tube 3 by means of riveting H. The stem 9 is prevented from swinging or tilting laterally respecting the tube 3 and the slot 3 by means of two parallel rods [2 which closely embrace the stem 9 and extend parallel with the long slot or space 3. The rods i2 are fastened as will be presently described.

It is to be understood that the various mechanical fastenings involved by the parts of the invention in this example may be substituted by equivalent attaching arrangements as exemplified by rivets, welded and brazed joints and by making the parts integral. The specific means used will depend on manufacturing expediency.

The rods [2 are shown spaced above the edges 2 at least far enough to permit the tube 8 to rise a distance approximately equaling its diameter. Much greater spacing is not preferred. In the example shown by Figs. 1 through 5 the surfaces l are provided by V-shaped angle plates I! permanently positioned in a cylinder 13 by having their apices retained in slots is formed in plates 20. The plate peripheries are elastically wedged against the cylinder side. These plates are vertically arranged diametrically against the cylinder side and have outwardly projecting tabs 2i at their top ends which engage the top edge of the receptacle cylinder l8 and their lower ends are fastened to tension rods 22 which extend downwardly to a bottom closure plate 23 for the bottom of the cylinder l8. Screws 24 pass through the plate 23 and are screwed into the bottoms of the rods 22 so as to tension the latter and pull the bottom plate 23 up tightly against the bottom of the cylinder I8.

In this example the ends of the tube 8 have axially projecting guides 25 which ride in vertical ,guideway slots 26 formed in the plates 29. The stem 9 alternatively may be made with a square shank (not shown) with this shank riding between the rods :2 whereby the stem is reciprocative but not rotative. Either functions as a positive guide preventing the sealing or closing tube 8 from loss of alignment with the space or slot 3 when the tube is lifted by the stem 8.

The tube 8 is vertically reciprocating, being lifted manually and adapted to fall gravitationally.

The parallel rods l2 are secured to the plates 2!} in any desirable way.

As shown particularly well by Fig. 3, the declining surfaces 1 decline relatively steeply. They are illustrated as declining steeply enough to :skid stumps gravitationally into parallel alignment with the space or slot 3 when the stumps are diagonally bridged between the top surfaces I. An important addition in this example is the provision of the surfaces 21 by the lower wings of the V-shaped angle plates ll. These oppositely spaced downwardly facing surfaces 21 incline toward each other to provide mutually adjacent edges defining sides of the previously described long space or slot 3. In the constructions illustrated the surfaces l and 2'! have the common ends 2. However, the plate edges defining the space 3 need not merge but could be separated by an interposed vertical wall to provide a chute construction. As illustrated, the surfaces '21 have the same angularity as the surfaces and therefore angle steeply enough to skid stumps gravitationally into longitudinal alignment with the long space 3 when the stumps are diagonally bridged between the surfaces 21, with these surfaces 27 so acting upon inversion of the device.

In operating this example of the invention the cigarette smoker, assuming the device is designed with cigarette dimensions, drops the ashes into the top so they fall on the surface I and skid down to settle in the interstices between these surfaces and the tube 8. Whenever the level becomes too high the smoker lifts the stem '9 by its handle portion 13 so as to raise the tube 8 and permit the ashes to skid into the receptacle 18.

.When a stump is placed in the receiver top the surfaces 1 skid it into alignment with the space 3 so that upon lifting of the tube 8 it can fall freely into the space between the edges 2. This action occurs regardless of the fact that the stump may be a full length cigarette which the user has just lit and then decided to discard. If the device is permitted to become fairly well loaded with stumps and ashes, lifting of the tube 8 and a slight jiggling effects rapid emptying into the receptacle l8. Any stumps on top of the tube 8 fall off of it because of its rounded top. This action may be aided by lifting the tube. A stump that slides transversely to the slot 3 so as to ride up on the opposite surface and bridge the two surfaces is immediately skidded into lateral alignment with the slot 3 so it promptly falls through the latter.

Theoretically there is a chance for a cigarette or stump to bridge the surfaces 1 geometrically at right angles to them instead of diagonally. Practically this is impossible because the rounded contours .of cigarettes are relatively irregular and render the cigarette unstable in balancing. Hence all stumps are normally skidded into alignment with the slot and discharged therethrough. The receiver top is :an integral part of the receptacle provided by the cylinder 18- and its bottom 23. This bottom 23 is designed to engage the bottom of the cylinder .1 8 and is retained by the tension of the bars 22 which can only be released by removal of the screws .24. For emptying receptacle l8,,.this may be relatively inconvenient. This brings up the additional feature of this example, namely, the surfaces 2 These function upon simple inversion of the device including the receptacle to guide the ashes and stumps out of the receptacle automatically so as to completely empty the device. Upon inversion the tube 3 automatically opens by falling since it is retained in position gravitationally. The rounded bottom of the tube prevents it from accumulating any material deposit of ashes or the like.

In the example shown, the bars [2 are .shown spaced from each other a distance just slightly less than the average diameter of cigarettes. The stem 9 may be suitably proportioned to accommodate itself to this spacing. The rods l2, therefore, not only perform the guiding function previously described but may be used to snuff a cigarette by thrusting the burning end of the latter lightly between these bars. Then the cigarette may be subsequently relighted and smoked. With the bars made of metal, the heat is conducted from the cigarette .so rapidly as to snuff the fire. It might. be mentioned also that the rods i2 function to strut apart the plates 20 as illustrated by Fig. 4.

As shown, the angle plates l'l providing the surfaces l peripherally fit tightly against the inner wall of casing 8. The tube 8 seals 1ongitudinally with the edges .2 in .a substantially air tight manner assured by the lateral interpressure induced .by the. mild wedge action exerted .by the tube bottom contour. The tube ends form a loose sliding fit with the surfaces of plates 26 but the extents .of possible leakage lines are very small. Hence the device normally seals the receptacle in a substantially air tight manner. Such tightness is effected to a degree quickly snuffing unextinguished stumps. In tests highly combustible fluid lacquer solvent has been lit in the device and apparently extinguished immediately upon dropping the previously raised closure or seal 8. As shown the tube 8 is gravitationally biased to its closed position by the weight of itself and of the stem 9. A solid tube or bar provides greater closing force and hence even tighter sealing. The term bar is considered as meaning either one that is solid or one that is tubular or hollow.

The invention may be applied in various other ways than have been illustrated herein. Although only one stem has been shown extending from the closure bar it is possible to provide a plurality of stems. If these stems are arranged to project upwardly through laterally spaced transverse rods such as the rods 12, they then perform the function of preventing turning of the closure bar relative to the long rectangular space or opening into which it fits.

I claim:

1. In a cigar or cigarette stump and ash receiver, a supporting structure adapted to be mounted vertically in a receptacle open at its top, said supporting structure having oppositely disposed vertically extending portions formed with vertical slots and also formed with notches in opposite side edges, rods extending horizontally between upper portions of the vertically extending portions at opposite sides of the slots therein and constituting struts spaced transversely from each other, combined guides and closures in same receptacle extending between opposite sides of the vertically extending portions and inner surfaces of opposed wall portions of the receptacle, said combined guides and closures having inner side edges seated in said notches and spaced transversely from each other and defining an elongated passage extending diametrically of the receptacle, said combined guides and closures each having upper and lower leaves intersecting along their inner side edges, the upper leaves sloping downwardly toward the said side edges of said passage and the lower leaves sloping upwardly toward the said side edges of the passage, an elongated closure for said space extending diametrically of said receptacle above the passage and having lugs at its ends slidaoly fitting into said slots and mounting the closure for vertical movement into and out of a closed position in which it bears against the upper plates in bridging and closing relation to the passage and a stem extending from said closure and loosely passing through the space between said rods and constituting means for moving the closure upwardly out of position for closing the said passage.

2. In a cigar and cigarette stump and ash receiver, a receptacle open at its top, verticallydisposed supports inside said rectptacle at diametrically opposite sides of said receptacle, rods extending horizontally between said supports and spaced transversely from each other, transversely-extending members carried by said supports in said receptacle and blocking space in the receptacle between inner wall portions of the receptacle and opposite side edges of said supports, said members each having upper and lower surfaces converging toward their inner side edges and intersecting along the said inner side edges, the inner side edges of said members being spaced from each other transversely of the supports and defining an elongated passage between the said supports, the upper surfaces of said members sloping downwardly toward opposite side edges of the passage and the lower surfaces of said members sloping upwardly toward side edges of the passage, an elongated closure for said passage having a transversely arcuate surface bridging the passage and bearing against inner side edge portions of the upper surfaces of said members when in a closed position, and a stem extending from said closure outwardly of the receptacle and loosely passing through space between said rods and constituting means for moving the elongated closure upwardly out of position for closing said passage.

3. In a cigar and cigarette stump and ash receiver, a receptacle open at its top, supporting means in said receptacle having vertically disposed portions inside said receptacle at diametrically opposite sides thereof, rods carried by said portions and extending horizontally therebetween and in transverse spaced relation to each other, partitioning members in said receptacle carried by said portions of said supporting means and having inner side edges spaced transversely from each other and thereby defining an elongated passage disposed under the rods and the space between the rods in downwardly spaced substantially parallel relation thereto, said mem bers having upper and lower sloping surfaces converging inwardly of the receptacle and intersecting along their said inner side edges, the upper surfaces sloping downwardly toward opposite side edges of the passage and the lower surfaces sloping upwardly toward side edges of the passage, a closure above said plates freely movable vertically into and out of engagement with the upper surfaces of the members in closing relation to said passage, and a stem extending upwardly from said closure through the space between said rods for moving said closure upwardly to open said elongated passage.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein the upper and lower surfaces of said members are smooth and unobstructed throughout their areas, the closure consisting of an elongated bar extending the full length of the passage and being circular in vertical transverse cross section, the said closure being of a diameter greater than the width of the passage and resting at said inner side edges on the upper surfaces of the members when closed, vertically arcuate side portions of the bar constituting cam surfaces adapted to direct a stump dropped upon a member to a position at rest longitudinally of the passage.

JAMES H. WILY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,071,363 Smith Aug. 26, 1913 1,533,682 Woywot Apr. 14, 1925 1,689,217 White Oct. 30, 1928 1,765,989 Melville June 24, 1930 1,937,084 Janssen Nov. 28, 1933 2,004,537 Parkinson June 11, 1935 2,108,436 Hardy Feb. 15, 1938 2,255,428 Leiman Sept. 9, 1941 2,411,569 Furman Nov. 26, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 364,390 Great Britain Jan. 7, 1932 

